Panchakarma – Ayurvedic Center For Panchakarma

Home » Panchakarma

Ayurveda Wellness – Panchakarma at Ayutherapy Ayurveda Wellness Center

So you are interested in a Panchakarma Program? This page will give you a great insight into what
Panchakarma is and are a must-read if you are considering this life changing experience in your journey of life
and health! Remember that two Panchakarma Programs are never the same and every treatment described
may not be relevant in your case, however this material will provide an overview in terms of what to expect on a
general level! WATCH OUR PANCHAKARMA INTRO VIDEO HERE

What Panchakarma Is:

The Sanskrit word panchakarma means “five deeds” or “five therapies.” It’s a method for ridding the body of toxins left behind by sickness and bad nutrition. The body, particularly the vitiated doshas, has the intrinsic ability to efficiently process and remove these waste elements. However, digestive enzymes, metabolic cofactors, hormones, and the agni’s – which govern the body’s internal homeostasis – become disorganized as a result of one’s frequent dietary indiscretions, bad exercise habits, lifestyle, and hereditary susceptibility. This can cause toxins to build up and spread throughout the body, resulting in sickness. In Ayurveda, this waste is referred to as ama. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, and potentially toxic substance that must be entirely removed from the body.

What Panchakarma Does:

Panchakarma will clear the damaging ama from your system through the body’s own organs and elimination channels, (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc) as well as remove excess doshas and repair imbalances in them . Panchakarma cleanses the tissues from the inside out. It is a relaxing experience that includes daily massages and oil baths. Panchakarma is a seasonal treatment recommended by Ayurveda for preserving mental and bodily hygiene and balance.

How Panchakarma Is Administered:

Panchakarma is a five-fold therapy that is highly customized to the individual’s needs based on Ayurvedic constitutional type, doshic imbalances, age, digestive strength, immune health, and a variety of other criteria. All or parts of the five therapies are used depending on the demands of the individual. These operations must be performed in a specific order by properly trained therapists over a set amount of time. Furthermore, while Panchakarma is a joyful and painless therapy for the most part, there can be periods of discomfort connected with the profound release of toxins that does occur. As a result, it’s critical that the therapy be overseen by a trained specialist who can spot the indicators of properly administered Panchakarma versus badly administered Panchakarma.Fortunately these signs were meticulously recorded by the ancient vaidyas.

The Panchakarma Process:

In India and many other countries of the world, Ayurveda is considered medicinal, but not in the United States. Taking the India perspective, Panchakarma Therapy, like all medical procedures, must begin with an initial consultation with a qualified health professional who can determine the individual’s prakriti (constitutional type), the nature of the health problem (if any), and the appropriate degree of Intensity of the prescribed 1 therapies. Panchakarma should only be used under proper medical supervision in certain situations, the most prevalent of which are recovery from drug addiction, alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, and eating disorders. Panchakarma may also be ineffective for people who are extremely underweight or physically weak, as well as those who have hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia that has been poorly managed (or untreated). Persons with malignant conditions, immune deficiency disorders, or those recovering from recent surgery are also at risk. Before beginning any type of detoxification program, all potential patients, especially those listed above, should always visit a trained health expert.

Pretreatment (Purvakarma):

Purvakarma processes are sometimes overlooked in the grand scheme of Panchakarma administration. Purvakarma Therapies are designed to loosen, liquefy, and transfer vitiated doshas from their aberrant positions in peripheral tissues to their proper central location within the alimentary canal. On the night before Vamana, oil massage and fomentation are delivered. Before beginning Vamana, the patient is instructed to drink a certain amount of ghee or oil until the stool becomes oily or nausea sets in. If vamana is planned, a Kapagenic diet is offered to aggravate Kapha during this time. Oil massages are administered either during the same time period or one week later.

Therapeutic Vomiting (Vamana):

This medication is utilized when the lungs are congested, which can lead to bronchitis, cough, colds, or asthma attacks. The goal of the treatment is to make you vomit in order to get rid of the extra kapha-causing mucus. To further irritate the kapha, kapha aggravating foods such as basmati rice and yogurt with salt are administered on the morning of the vamana. Heat applied to the chest and back will aid in the liquefaction of kapha. The patient is given a drink made of madanaphala, licorice, and honey, or calamus root tea (Other substances used include salt, and cardamom). Vomiting can either happen on its own or be triggered by rubbing the tongue. The goal is to have 4-8 vomit occurrences. The patient will feel much better after vomiting; much of the congestion, wheezing, and shortness will go away as the sinuses clear. Cough, cold, asthma symptoms, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin disorders, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy (between bouts), chronic sinus difficulties, and recurring tonsillitis attacks are all treated with therapeutic vomiting.

Purgation Therapy (Virechana, Laxative Therapy):

Virechana is the purifying of the blood toxins and the cleansing of the pitta. It is usually given three days following the Vamana therapy, but this can vary. Virechana can be given immediately after purvakarma if Vamana treatment is not required. The sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver, and spleen are all cleansed by Virechan. As a laxative, a variety of effective and safe herbs can be employed. Senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow’s milk, salt, castor oil, raisins, and mango juice are only a few of the ingredients. It is critical to follow a strict diet when taking these laxatives. Skin illnesses, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal difficulties, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome are all treated with Virechana.

Enema (Basti):

Medicated enemas are used for a variety of purposes. In general, this treatment is utilized to help the loosened Vata dosha leave the body through the rectum. Ayurveda has a long list of particular enemas.

Basti entails injecting therapeutic compounds into the rectum, such as herbalized oils and various herbal decoctions, in a liquid media. Basti is extremely beneficial for vata imbalances. Constipation, distention, persistent fever, the common cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart discomfort, vomiting, backache, neck pain, and hyperacidity are all relieved with this herb. Sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, neurological diseases, andgout are all vata disorders that Basti can help with. In Ayurveda, there are roughly 80 vata-related illnesses. Medicated enemas can be used to treat about 80% of them.

The medication is given rectally because vata is mostly found in the gut and bones. Enemas can take the following forms…

  1. Decoction > Mainly herbal decoction with small amounts of oil
  2. Oil > Mainly warm oils with small amounts of herbal decoction
  3. Nutritive > Warm mik, broth, bone marrow soup etc.

Nasya (Nasal administration; Errhine Therapy):

Herbalized oils and liquids are sprayed into the nostrils during this treatment. It can be used to treat kapha-oriented issues as well as ear, nose, and throat illnesses such migraines, sinusitis, catarrh, and bronchitis.

The nose acts as a portal between the brain and consciousness. Breathing in through the nose allows prana, or vital energy, to enter the body. Medication administered through the nose aids in the correction of prana abnormalities that impact higher cerebral, sensory, and motor processes. Nasya is used to treat nasal dryness,
sinus congestion, hoarseness, migraine headaches, neurological diseases (such as multiple sclerosis), convulsions, and various eye and ear issues.

Nasya incorporates ingredients such as calamus powder, gotu kola, onion, garlic, black pepper, cayenne, ginger, and ghee oil decoctions. After a bath, food, sex, drinking alcohol, pregnancy, or menstruation, nasal medicine should not be used.

 

Blood Letting (Rakta Moksha):

This section is only for informational purposes in relation to how classical Panchakarma’s are administered. Blood Letting is not permitted in the USA, and is NOT practised at Ayutherapy. Toxins taken into the circulation through the gastrointestinal tract are removed through blood letting. The blood is purified as a result of this procedure. It is used to treat urticaria, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma, chronic itching, and hives, as well as other skin problems. Gout, as well as enlarged liver and spleen,
hemochromatosis, and gout, are frequently treated with it.

Several pitta diseases, such as acne and rash, can be relieved by blood letting, which should only be done by a skilled physician. When correctly provided, it increases the production of antitoxic chemicals in the bloodstream, resulting in the development of the blood system’s immune system. Don’t take blood from anyone who has anemia, edema, or weakness, or those who are very old or very young.

 

Panchakarma: Summary

  • Panchakarma is a series of up to five sets of treatments that is designed to completely eradicate damaging toxins from within your mind, body and spirit, essentially providing a new lease of life, helping address chronic health issues and much more.
  • Panchakarma involves a Pretreatment element to prepare the body, which can include body therapies as well as internal oleation, Vamana, Virechana, Basti and even Rakta Moksha.
  • Panchakarma may be worth considering as an option if you are serious about preventing the onset of disease, your health in general or are struggling with chronic pain and/or illness.

Depending on your goals, budget and needs, we may recommend such treatments with your wellness action plan. If you would like to learn if you may be a good fit for Panchakarma, book a complimentary 20 minute consultation with Vaidya Archana.

Scroll to Top